We were up early. We took a few photos of the sunrise and the trading post. We had a good breakfast at the Cameron Trading Post restaurant. We stayed at the Trading Post last night and will be staying here tonight. If you are planning a trip to visit the Grand Canyon, I would suggest staying at the Cameron Trading Post.

Riding Highway 64 heading to Grand Canyon

Rolling down Highway 64 to Grand Canyon

Today is a beautiful morning with bright blue skies and just a few high thin clouds. It will be a great riding day. It is just a short scenic ride (32 miles) down Highway 64 from the trading post to the Grand Canyon’s east entrance.

Scenery on Highway 64 riding to Grand Canyon

Colorado River at Lipan Point in Grand Canyon

The ride to the canyon is cool but starting to warm up. It could be another warm one today. Though it is a desert area it was greener than I would have expected. The area was mostly flat with small pine trees lining the highway. At some points you could see small hills in the distance. We made a few stops riding to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Lipan Point in Grand Canyon

Our bikes at Lipan Point in Grand Canyon

At Lipan Point we got our first close look over the edge of the canyon. This may have been our best view of the Colorado River from anywhere. Lipan Point is known for an excellent place to capture some great pictures of the sunset over the canyon. Today, with the sun high in the sky, we settled for some great shots of the canyon and river.

Tusayan Ruins in Grand Canyon National Park

Tusayan Ruins Museum at Grand Canyon National Park

I enjoy native Indian history, so the Tusayan Ruins is a great stop for learning more about ancient cultures. We enjoyed the walk through the ruins reading the signs describing the ruins and the people of long ago. As always I find myself imagining the people who once called this part of the world home. I wish stones could talk… There is a small museum at the ruins that I would have liked to visit, but it is closed. Maybe next time…

Me taking in the Grand of the canyon…

Once at the Visitor Center we picked up brochures and checked out the displays about the Grand Canyon. From the Visitor Center headed to the western area shuttle stop and after searching a bit found a place to park our bikes. It was a busy day, with a lot of people visiting the park. It is a bit hazy today but still a great sight that must be seen. The views really can’t be described with words and pictures really can’t capture the majesty of the canyon. The panoramic views, colors, sights, depth, sounds of the wind and birds have to be experienced to be appreciated. If you haven’t been there, it needs to be on your bucket list.

Grand Canyon Trails

It’s getting hot again today. The average temperature for June is the mid-80’s but today it’s in the 90’s. We stopped at most of the points in the beginning and took our time at each stop, but as it got warmer we spent less time at each stop. We skipped a few stops and headed to Hermit Rest for some lunch. There isn’t a lot for lunch there, sandwiches, snacks and soda is about it. When you are hungry, it fit the bill and got us out of the heat and gave us a needed rest. One couple there recognized the Larry’s (Larry T. & Larry A.) accent as being from their area (Tennessee). We had a nice time visiting with them before riding the shuttle back to the start.

Greeters of the Grand Canyon

The ride back to the Cameron Trading Post was hot… again as in our previous days. At one point as we got closer to the trading post my air temperature on my bike read 104 degrees (F). It is nice to be back and cool off in the AC.

Views abound in the canyon…

Tomorrow we ride to the Panguitch, UT (via Bryce Canyon) down US 89 & US 89-A… Because of all the canyons we are visiting on this ride I should have called it the canyons ride… Come follow along and enjoy the ride over the next 11… I hope we see you down the road somewhere. Ride safe…

If you liked this ride post, you may checkout the other post from this ride below…

Today is day 5 of my 5000+ mile, 17 day motorcycle ride. I have looked forward to today for some time. We will be riding north on US 89-A just north of Prescott to Jerome. Janet and I drove this section several years ago and I knew I needed to ride it someday. Why; because there are 127 curves in 12 miles while climbing about 2000 feet in elevation. To fellow riders I need not say more…

Prescott – Jerome US 89-A 127 curves in 12 miles

Riding into Jerome, AZ

Jerome is an old mining town with a colorful history. Once a thriving mining camp between the late 1880s and early 1950s, it now caters to hordes of tourist and bikers like ourselves who have just rode up or are about to ride down the twisties of US 89-A. There are many restaurants, shops and historic interests for all. Jerome’s population includes artists, craftsmen, musicians, writers, museum caretakers and small business owners. The population rises and falls with the times. As of the 2010 census, its population was 444. I love old towns with history and Jerome is a good one with a lot of old buildings built on the steep slope of the mountain.

Artist selling Sundials in Jerome AZ Photo by Larry A.

Jerome AZ

Sedona, AZ Photo by Larry A.

From Jerome we rode down to Sedona for lunch. Larry A. bought a tee-shirt at the Harley store and a Sedona dirt shirt. I would have liked to have spent more time here, but… Again, it was starting to get hot today and there were miles to go before we sleep.

Traffic on Old Creek Canyon Rd, (US 89-A)

The ride from Sedona to Flagstaff is another very scenic ride down US 89-A as it winds through Old Creek Canyon. Old Oak Canyon gets its name from Oak Creek that runs through the canyon and parallels US 89-A. There was a lot of traffic from the many tourists who had come to tube down segments of the creek. At places traffic slowed to avoid people walking the roadside and drivers looking for a place to park in places where there was no parking. The traffic kept us from enjoying the scenery as much as we would have liked…

Leaving Flagstaff, AZ Heading to Cameron Trading Post

While riding through Flagstaff, my GPS lead us astray. It all started when we took a detour due to road construction. Long story short, it made for a frustrating leg of the trip. At one point we got separated and had to reconnect using our cell phones. Not fun in the heat…

Riding US 89-A in the heat (110 degrees) Flagstaff to Cameron Trading Post

From Flagstaff we continued riding north up US 89 to the Cameron Trading Post in Cameron, AZ. Leaving Flagstaff the scenery was a pine tree-lined road way that eventually turned to flat desert views with mountains in the far distance. By now the temperature was getting really HOT. At one stretch, before getting to Cameron, it reached 110 degrees (F). We were three very tired and hot old bikers by the time we finally rode into the Cameron Trading Post. Cameron Trading Post will be our home away from home for the next couple of nights.

Tired hot bickers catching our breath in the cool AC…

Little Colorado River Canyon behind the Cameron Trading Post

The Cameron Trading Post is a great place to stay. Great accommodations, restaurant, store, service station and gift shop. The gift shop sells paintings, sculptures, baskets, pottery, rugs, jewelry, beadwork, flutes, dream catchers and toys. At the store you can also buy supplies for your journey.

Sunset at the Cameron Trading Post Photo by Larry A.

Cameron Trading Post room kitchen area

Our large Bedroom at Cameron Trading Post

After gassing up we checked in, cranked down the AC and relaxed. The Trading Post sits on the edge of a scenic canyon that has the Little Colorado River flowing through it. After eating at the restaurant we went out to take pictures of the canyon and the setting sun.

Old Swayback suspension bridge at Cameron Trading Post

A Swayback suspension bridge was built over the Little Colorado River in 1911. The bridge created the first easy access over the canyon. Later, two brothers, Hubert and C.D. Richardson established the Cameron Trading Post. Initially, only the Navajo & Hopi came to barter their wool, blankets, & live-stock for dry goods. Today, it services the many visitors who come to visit the Grand Canyon. If you come, I would suggest making reservation well in advance. If you stay in the area the rates at any of the motels will be $160 and more but here you get a large spacious room or I should say rooms. It includes a large living and kitchen area and a large bed room with 2 queen beds. The living area also has a sleeper sofa. It was nice to have room to spread out and just relax for a couple of days. The Trading Post has a Southwestern Motif that makes you feel as though you are living the western dream…

Tomorrow we ride to the Grand Canyon… Come follow along and enjoy the ride over the next 12… I hope we see you down the road somewhere. Ride safe…

If you liked this ride post, you may checkout the other post from this ride below…